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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Stiliyan for a boy?

94 replies

ttcAlex · 24/09/2020 23:00

Hi all. What do you think of the name Stiliyan for a boy? Does it sound/look too weird? His surname would also be foreign.

(If any football fans out there - yes, his father IS a huge fan of Stiliyan Petrov from Aston Villa, and yes, we are both Bulgarian living in the UK Smile )

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ticktackted · 25/09/2020 09:41

I like it a lot! Never heard it but it's easy to pronounce and spell. It's lovely to have a name from his heritage. I'm astonished by some of the negative replies tbh - there will be names from all backgrounds around throughout his life!

user1495884620 · 25/09/2020 09:35

Probably not a major consideration in choosing a name but if dad and son both have the same initial, post will become a pain when your DS is older as post generally comes addressed to Mr S Surname. (Unless your DH is a Dr, Prof, or something, in which case it won't be a problem!)

LuckyAmy1986 · 25/09/2020 09:23

completey agree @Asterion

LuckyAmy1986 · 25/09/2020 09:23

Love it.

IdblowJonSnow · 25/09/2020 09:21

Stallion, as nicknames go, is pretty good!
Kids will make up nicknames whatever the name.

IdblowJonSnow · 25/09/2020 09:15

Never heard of it but I quite like it.
Only a narrow minded idiot would discriminate on the basis of a name so i wouldn't worry too much about that. We do live in a multicultural society and it is 2020 after all...
I've worked in a school and heard all sorts of names over the years.
My own name is so bland, must be nice to have an unusual name!

IncludeWomenInTheSequel · 25/09/2020 09:14

I really like it! Smile

Whoever said 'stillborn' needs to get a grip of their overactive imagination.

Disfordarkchocolate · 25/09/2020 09:08

I think it's a good name. Easy to say, fits in with your heritage and easy to spell. Sounds cool too.

otterbaby · 25/09/2020 09:07

I think it sounds great. And I don't think there's a risk of anyone calling him Silly Jan or Stillborn 😂

SeanCailleach · 25/09/2020 09:06

That's a terrific name. If you are in Birmingham he will get called Still or Steel as it is usual to shorten names to one syllable there. Steely Yan would be a smashing nn if you like the band Steely Dan.

Joolsin · 25/09/2020 08:58

I really like the name - and both Stan and Yan are great shortenings. Might sound a bit strange if the surname was British, but it's not, so hooray, go for it, OP.

ladybee28 · 25/09/2020 08:56

He can also choose his own nickname / shortened version as he gets older, IF he wants to.

"Hi, I'm Stiliyan – you can call me Stan if it's easier."

I think it's a great name – also never heard it before but I like it!

Waveifyouknowme · 25/09/2020 08:56

When I read the title, I thought no. But reading the thread, because of his heritage it's really growing on me. Yan is a super cool nn.

Original poster
ttcAlex · 25/09/2020 08:52

Btw one of his sons' name is Stiliyan Jr (they live in the Uk as far as I know), so I assume he must not have had a very hard time with his name if he named his son that Grin

OP posts:
Asterion · 25/09/2020 08:52

I like it. There's no harm in having a "different" name, otherwise we'd all be called Karen. I find some of the answers on this thread quite bizarre Hmm

WokThisWay · 25/09/2020 08:52

The longer the thread goes on, the more I like it! Smile

Original poster
ttcAlex · 25/09/2020 08:48

I'm more optimistic after reading some of the posts this morning, thank you. Stiliyan Petrov is indeed a big inspiration for the name, but not the sole reason for it. We wanted a name beginning with "S" (his dad's name first letter), that also has a nice meaning ("strong, steady" from Greek) and a Saint that shares the same name (that's a big thing in our culture).
We do not live in Scotland, but I would have thought Petrov is equally well known in England, given his football career and where he played. His nickname in the UK has always been Stan, I think that's a nice short version of his name for people who find it hard or awkward to pronounce his full name Smile

OP posts:
Carolwithane · 25/09/2020 08:33

Love it and as previously mentioned well known here in Scotland where his name sake is affectionately known as Big Stan Grin As an aside I was at his testimonial charity match when he returned after cancer, very emotional day. Lot of love for SP Football

custardbear · 25/09/2020 08:25

It's fine, Assuming your surname isn't british sounding, which may be a bit weird

Is there an Eastern European community where you love as again it would fit in more. I think if he stays at The same school children will grow up with it and think it's just a name, rather than a strange name

monkeyonthetable · 25/09/2020 08:11

Call him Stillian and nn him Yan? No one would have a problem pronouncing that. I think the 'they'll call him names' concern is not an issue. If children want to call each other horrible names, they will find a way with any name.

VenusClapTrap · 25/09/2020 08:05

I really like it.

FizzyGreenWater · 25/09/2020 07:40

It’s ok, it’s a bit frilly. It’s nice that it’s a name from your culture but it wouldn’t be my choice. If the main attraction is the footballer link... give it as a middle name. He’d be Still for short. Hmm. Not a disaster, not very attractive either.

FoxParty · 25/09/2020 01:14

My first thought was Stilian Petrov, I wondered if u were in Scotland its a well known name here Wink! I think its nice and you should go for it. I work in schools and I have never heard a child made fun of for having a 'foreign' name, its certainly not a concern in the school i work in or in my children's school. A name is a name and the children just take the sound as it is and use it.

MrsTerryPratchett · 25/09/2020 01:14

It's a great name.

The only slight caveat is if you live in Scotland. Big Yin, Wee Yin, Still Yin. If you see what I mean.

Otherwise it sounds great, easy to pronounce and unusual enough to be interesting.

SylvanianFrenemies · 25/09/2020 01:09

I agree @Nikori. It is embarrassing to read some of these responses.